I missed a point in Divine Moods. Nat Falkayn wondered whether the Ythrians were a more joyous creation than mankind. I suggested ask Ythrians what they think and also mentioned their Old and New Faiths. However, Nat continues:
"Perhaps not. They were pure carnivores, born hunters." (p. 413)
Thus, he partly answers his own question and his answer is relevant to the Ythrian Faiths: both the bloody sacrifices of the Old Faith and the concept of God the Hunter in the New Faith. The latter is Poul Anderson's imaginative conception first of rational carnivores, then of what their idea of God might be like, in particular of how it would have to differ from any human ideas.
Of course, The Day Of Their Return is primarily about Ivar Frederiksen and Aycharaych's elaborate scheme on Aeneas. However, I also list it as the concluding item in the Ythrian history (see Three Volumes Of Ythrians) because it:
features Erannath of Stormgate Choth in a key role;
informs us of the later relationship between the Domian of Ythri and the Terran Empire;
also informs us that, by that later date, specifically human political institutions have atrophied on Avalon.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
The impression I get is that by the time of ENSIGN FLANDRY, relations between the Domain and the Empire were downright cordial! Meaning whatever disputes the two powers still had were quickly resolved. Because the threat posed by Merseia was as alarming to the Domain as it was to the Empire.
And THE DAY OF THEIR RETURN also, again, shows us Anderson's careful and respectful treatment of religious ideas and issues. From orthodox Christianity to an invented, manipulated by Aycharaych religion like Cosmenosism.
Ad astra! Sean
Post a Comment